Gem trail now open

August 27, 2011

Mayor Morgan Anderson (left), Steve Love and Tom Salaiz prepare to cut the ribbon officially opening the Hazard Creek section of the Aberdeen Gem Trail on Friday. Love and Salaiz are members of the city's Gem Trail Foundation.

ABERDEEN --Members of the Aberdeen Gem Trail Foundation gatheredÂ to officially open the Hazard Creek section on Friday.
The Aberdeen Gem Trail will eventually circle the community, providing those who enjoy walking, biking, hiking, etc. a safe venue.
"It's a great day to get this much of the trail done," said Tom Salaiz, president of the Aberdeen Gem Trail Foundation.Â
"We knew it was needed from a safety standpoint," he continued, noting that, in late summer and early fall, a variety of farm machineryÂ uses a nearby road.Â
"That's one of the reasons we wanted to put the trail in," he said.Â
The trail begins at the intersection of Powerline and ElmoreÂ roads and stretches 3/4 of a mile. The funding for the trail came from a variety of private and public sources.
"It's definitely something for the community," said Pam Hutchinson, Salaiz' wife. "It's something for people of all ages to use and for the whole community to be proud of."
Plans for the trail began to develop in 2006. Partners include the National Park Service, the Bingham County commissioners, Aberdeen city and a consortium of private contributors.